Schedule 2017 & 2018

Most of travelers imagine Mongolia as Gobi desert and boundless steppes with blue sky, but there are also 4 high mountain ranges including Altai, Khangai, Kentii and Khyangan. The Altai mountain range is Mongolia's largest and highest mountain range and is an ideal place to take trekking and mountaineering trips.

Discover Mongolia offers you a trekking holiday in Altai Tavan Bogd National park. Meet the Kazakh people, watch wild animals including real ibex, and visit historical places all with the full support of our knowledgeable guides. Then climb snow capped mountains and breathe the fresh Mongolia air while taking in the eternal blue sky. We hope it will be a most exhilarating trip!

Why choose this tour

Discover the biggest nomadic country in the world - rich diversity of nomadic culture in the regions

Trek to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains

Meet Kazakh ethnic group and opportunity to watch Eagle hunting

To see rare and protected animals like snow leopard, ibex etc

Amazing nature and unique people of the Western Mongolia

Domestic flights included

Tour map

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Full itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and City tour

After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, You'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to your hotel. After lunch, we visit the National History Museum, where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to the present. Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)

Day 2

Fly to Bayan Ulgii, Western Mongolia

Early morning flight to the capital of the Bayn-Ulgii province, Ulgii. The flight takes 3 and a half hours, and on arrival at the airstrip in the Ulgii. Discover Mongolia team will be waiting for you and will take you to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. After lunch drive about 45km to north-west and pitch camp. (B+L+D)

Day 3

To Altai Tavan Bogd National National park

Driving after 165km we will arrive at Shiveet Hairhan Mountain, in Altai Tavanbogd National Park, where numerous Tuvan nomads live. Shiveet Hairhan is holy for them, so there is no hunting, and usually possible to see a lot of Altai Ibex in the early morning. Pitch camp. We have a local yurt as a mess tent. (B+L+D)

Day 4

Altai Tavan Bogd

With the support of camels, we will trek for 16km to the base camp area at the edge of the Potanina glacier that runs down from the highest mountains in Mongolia. We will pitch our camp right here. Tavanbogd means "The Holy Five" referring to the peaks of Huiten (4374m /14350 foot and the highest), Naran, Ulgii, Burget and Nairamdal. It is a stunning setting with the awe inspiring massif of high snow capped peaks.(B+L+D)

Day 5

Altai Tavan bogd

Trek back on the other side of the Tsaagan River (White River) to Shiveet Hairhan Mountain, where the Tuva people live.

Day 6

Next day-Altai Tavan bogd

Here we will now be able to view the biggest petrolgyphs from the period of the Huns (approx 200 B.C.). The Huns were the reason for the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi built the Great Wall of China. (B+L+D)

Day 7

Across Altai Mountains

We will allocate two days to cross the Altai Mountains range which is a total of 32km. You will be able to see remote and spectacular country from 3600m high. Today we will cross very near the peak of Tsaagan Hairhan Uul (Holy White peak 3668m being the highest elevation of the entire journey). This is the habitat of the Snow Leopard and its prey species the Siberian Ibex, as well as the rare Altai Snowcock. Pitch camp.

Day 8

Next Day-Across Altai Mountains

We will stay one more night in the same place and make day hike in Bear Valley. (B+L+D)

Day 9

Drive back to Ulgii

Full day drive down a dramatic steppe valley along the Hoton River that drains from the Altai Tavanbogd massif creating a series of beautiful lakes.

Day 10

Fly back Ulaanbaatar and city tour options

After breakfast will have a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. You may choose an optional city tour where you will be taken to souvenir and cashmere shops before enjoying an evening concert of National Folklore. In the evening we will talk about the Altai trek during a farewell dinner. Overnight in the hotel. (B+L+D)

Day 11

Visit to Kazakh herdsmen

In this area, there will still be some Kazakh herdsmen to visit. Their yurts are a bonanza on handicrafts, and they are very friendly and hospitable people. Kazakh concert during dinner. Overnight in Ger camp. (B+L+D)

Day 12

Departure back Mongolia

You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)

B - Breakfast L - Lunch D- Dinner

Services included in the price

Hotel:Hotel is based on two people sharing one room with twin beds at 4 star hotel
2 nights including Western or Mongolian breakfast
Free luggage keeping in the hotel while on tour to countryside

Tourist Ger camp:Shared accommodation in tourist ger
camp Ger (traditional dwelling) has 2 to 4 beds - very
interesting and unique Western style toilets and hot shower
facility is separate block - shared The restaurant serve usually
Western and Mongolian meals Single supplement cannot be guaranteed
but possible Click here to see picture of the tourist ger camp

Tent:2 person in per tent, camping equipments.

Transportation:Horse

Private Transfers on each day:Air conditioned and
comfortable Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 off road van Highly skilled
driver Airports pick up and drop off service Allow only 4
passengers for 5 passenger seats - Your comfort is our priority! Click here to view picture of the vehicles that we use for our tours.

Guides:English speaking guiding service
throughout the entire time Local guides for horse and camel ride
trials Boat driver

Meals: All meals as listed in the
itinerary Finest Western and Mongolian meals, deserts Authentic
Mongolian Barbecue Daily supply of bottled water: 3 x 0.5 bottle
per day

Services not included in the price

International airfare or train tickets:Discover Mongolia! offers cheap international airfares and train tickets for our clients upon request.

Excess luggage charges:Free luggage allowance is 15 kg for domestic flights depending on the air company.

Personal expenses:Such as laundry, beverages,
alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing
or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.

Travel insurance:
Our clients are recommended to get travel insurance before traveling. Buy Simple and Flexible Travel Insurance from WorldNomads.com.

Single room supplement: Single supplement is available at $70 in the hotel (for 2 nights)

Single ger supplement: Single supplement is available at $25 per night at ger camps.

All the best. Regards Tony (and Terry)

Hi Oyunaa Been back in the UK a few weeks now and finally got up straight with work so just wanted to drop you a line to say Thank You for your help during our visit to Mongolia, much appreciated UK. Aug, 2011

Tour information

The best time to make this trip:

May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year, but be assured; our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time.

Accommodation:

We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be stay in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 or 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.

Meals:

In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.

Guide:

An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

Transport:

Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.

Personal things to bring with you:

Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, sandals and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forgot insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.